Evaluation of reliability and validity of the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 in patients with acne

To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) in patients with acne. Three hundred acne patients were enrolled from January 2019 to December 2019. PHQ‐9 and Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD) survey was conducted to evaluate their depression status. Cronbach's α coefficient and test‐retest reliability after 1 week were used to analyze the reliability of PHQ‐9. Factor analysis, Spearman correlation analysis, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) were used for validity analysis of the PHQ‐9.The screening validity was analyzed in different subgroups. Two hundred fifty‐eight patients with acne completed the questionnaire. Forty‐seven were diagnosed with depressive disorder. The best cut‐off point for the PHQ‐9 score is 9 points, with a sensitivity of 95.7%,a specificity of 88.6% and the area under the ROC curve(AUC) of 0.973.In validity analysis, the correlation coefficient between the total score of PHQ‐9 and HAMD was 0.766,the kappa value was 0.530.Factor analysis revealed two common factors (cognitive‐affective factor and somatic symptom factor),which explained 65.52% of the total variances. In reliability analysis, the Cronbach's α coefficient of the PHQ‐9 was 0.851,the test‐retest reliability value was 0.824.The time to complete the PHQ‐9 was significantly less than the time to complete HAMD (P < .001).The PHQ‐9 shows good reliability and validity for the diagnosis of depression in patients with acne, and can be used for preliminary screening of depression.     

Clinical features and prognostic factors in patients with cancer-associated multiple ischemic stroke: A retrospective observational study

ObjectivesTo investigate the patient demographics, survival after diagnosis, and prognostic factors among patients with multiple-territory cerebral infarctions due to cancer-associated ischemic stroke (multiple CAIS).Materials and methodsWe performed a retrospective review of the medical records from a 10-year period of consecutive patients with multiple CAIS, defined as (1) newly developed multiple cerebral infarctions involving two or more cerebrovascular territories, (2) association with active cancer diagnosed or treated <6 months before or after stroke, and (3) exclusion of obvious etiologies other than cancer-associated coagulopathy in routine screening. We extracted demographic features, stroke severity and characteristics, cancer characteristics, comorbidities, and laboratory data. Univariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to idenify the prognostic factors.ResultsThe median age was 74 years (interquartile range, 68.3–80.5), and the median survival after diagnosis was 44.5 (27.3–76.8) days in 26 patients with complete follow-up. The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 5.5 (2.0–9.0). Twenty (76.9%) patients had received a cancer diagnosis prior to the diagnosis of multiple CAIS, and most patients (25 patients, 96.2%) had stage IV cancer. Univariate analysis showed that high serum albumin (hazard ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.11–0.88) was significantly associated with prolonged survival, whereas stroke severity and comorbidities were not associated with survival.ConclusionMultiple CAIS predominantly occurred in elderly patients with advanced cancer, and their survival was short. Serum albumin levels were significantly associated with prognosis, indicating the poor general condition associated with cancers may affect prognosis.     

Is flu vaccination opt-out feasible? Evidence from vaccination programme implementers and managers in the English National Health Service

BackgroundIn 2018/19, English NHS trusts (NHSTs) implemented an 'opt-out' policy for seasonal flu vaccination in frontline healthcare workers (HCWs). HCWs declining the vaccination were asked to sign an opt-out form and provide a reason for their decision. In addition, HCWs working in higher risk hospital environments (e.g. oncology) were asked to inform their manager about their declination decision. The policy aimed to provide greater insight into reasons for vaccination decline and information from HCWs in higher risk areas was intended for use in considering HCW redeployment. This study investigated the feasibility, acceptability, and perceived value of the policy during the 2018/19 flu vaccination season.MethodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews across 9 NHSTs in England with different levels of HCW flu vaccination uptake in 2017/18. We interviewed 30 vaccination programme implementers and 27 managers.FindingsThe purpose of the policy was poorly understood, and interviewees did not know how data on decliners was being used. Most NHSTs tried to collect the personal details of decliners and, in some instances, these were recorded in Electronic Staff Records and reported to line-managers for action. This created strain on employer-employee relationships, leading to decliners refusing to complete opt-out forms and some vaccinators not implementing the policy. None of the NHSTs had a redeployment policy for decliners, arguing that this was impractical due to strain on staffing levels.ConclusionA flu-vaccination opt-out approach for HCWs did not appear acceptable in our sampled NHSTs, due to a lack of clear messaging about its purpose and complicated implementation. To promote an opt-out approach effectively, there needs to be clear communication of its purpose, which should be to explore reasons for decline rather than identify and 'push' decliners to vaccinate, so as not to damage staff relationships. NHSTs should involve their workforce in developing flu vaccination approaches.     

永久性结肠造口患者自我护理能力的价值体会

目的探讨健康教育对永久性结肠造口患者自我护理能力改善的价值。方法选取2015年1月-2018年12月北京大学深圳医院收治的永久性结肠造口患者40例作为研究对象。所有患者均接受健康教育,评价患者健康知识及自我护理能力改善情况。结果护理前,患者健康知识评分及自我护理能力评分均较低。护理后,患者健康知识评分及自我护理能力评分明显高于护理前,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论针对永久性结肠造口患者开展健康教育可进一步帮助患者增强自我护理能力,丰富其永久性结肠造口及护理相关知识,具有较高的护理价值,值得临床推广应用。     

Avoidable hospitalisation for diabetes mellitus among immigrants and natives: Results from the Italian Network for Longitudinal Metropolitan Studies

Background and aimsItaly has experienced a relevant increase in migration inflow over the last 20 years. Although the Italian Health Service is widely accessible, immigrants can face many barriers that limit their use of health services. Diabetes mellitus (DM) has a different prevalence across ethnic groups, but studies focusing on DM care among immigrants in Europe are scarce. This study aimed to compare the rates of avoidable hospitalisation (AH) between native and immigrant adults in Italy.Methods and resultsA multi-centre open cohort study including all 18- to 64-year-old residents in Turin, Venice, Reggio-Emilia, Modena, Bologna and Rome between 01/01/2001 and 31/12/2013–14 was conducted. Italian citizens were compared with immigrants from high migratory pressure countries who were further divided by their area of origin. We calculated age-, sex- and calendar year-adjusted rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of AH for DM by citizenship using negative binomial regression models. The RRs were summarized using a random effects meta-analysis. The results showed higher AH rates among immigrant males (RR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.16–2.23), whereas no significant difference was found for females (RR: 1.14, 95% CI: 0.65–1.99). Immigrants from Asia and Africa showed a higher risk than Italians, whereas those from Central-Eastern Europe and Central-Southern America did not show any increased risk.ConclusionAdult male immigrants were at higher risk of experiencing AH for DM than Italians, with differences by area of origin, suggesting that they may experience lower access to and lower quality of primary care for DM. These services should be improved to reduce disparities.     

Optimizing resilience and wellbeing for healthcare professions trainees and healthcare professionals during public health crises – Practical tips for an ‘integrative resilience’ approach

Abstract

Public health crises, including pandemics, are associated with significant health risk and concomitant stress, fear, decreased sense of control, and uncertainty. Deleterious impact on both physical and mental health can result, including for healthcare professionals and health professions trainees. Changes in governmental policies and hospital protocols for healthcare professionals as well as disruption of educational formats and requirements for trainees can ensue. Difficult anxiety-provoking realities of public health crises including pandemics which involve caring for many seriously ill patients, moral distress including difficult care decisions, personal health risk, and/or potential risk to one’s family can take a dire toll on the mental health of healthcare professionals at all stages of the professional lifecycle. Educational disruptions can create significant anxiety for trainees about completing requirements and achieving competencies. Within this, coping skills may be challenged and strengths may be elucidated as well. Such crises create an imperative for medical educators to support trainees’ wellbeing through adaptive flexibility for curriculum innovation and culturally sensitive resilience and wellbeing interventions. Strategies (‘tips’) to optimize resilience and wellbeing with an integrative resilience approach of individual, learning environment, and organization/systems factors are presented.